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AFP awards housing projects

BAGUIO CITY (July 8) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) recently turned over a total of 240 newly-constructed condominium units to soldier beneficiaries at a rites held in Bonifacio Heights, Makati City, led by Vice President and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chair Noli de Castro.

Another 100 low-cost housing units were urned over to soldiers and their families at Camp Servillano Aquino in Tarlac City. The said low-cost housing units are under a fifty-fifty cost-sharing scheme between the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Gawad Kalinga, a non-government organization involved in socialized housing.

The Bonifacio Heights and Camp Aquino projects are among the seven on-base housing sites President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo approved for AFP personnel.

The DENR, HUDCC and the AFP are likewise evaluating ten other areas in the country for possible sites of the AFP mass housing projects. # PIA

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DTI-Ifugao checks prices of basic goods

LAGAWE, Ifugao (July 8) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here is closely monitoring business establishments in the province to ensure that there is no price increase on basic commodities in connection with the E-VAT law.

According to Valentine Baguidudol, DTI Provincial Director, some businessmen might take advantage of the E-VAT law and increase prices of goods and gasoline despite the fact that there was a temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court on the implementation of the said law. # Vency Bulayungan / PIA Ifugao

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10 top youth orgs nationwide named

BAGUIO CITY (July 8) — The National Youth Commission, together with the office of Senate Majority Leader Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan, recognized winners of the third search for the Ten Accomplished Youth Organization (TAYO) in Malacañang. All winners were awarded P50,000 grant and trophy each.

This year’s TAYO awardees included the Benguet State University – Development Communication Society (CAR), Sining Bulakenyo – Pangkat Mananayaw ng Bulacan (Region III), Young Artists Fellowship for the Environment (Region IV), University of the Philippines in the Visayas – Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (Region VI), Western Visayas State University – Political Science Students’ Organization (Region VI), Mindanao Polytechnic State College – State College Mathematics Society (Region X), Beehive 4-H Club (Region XII), Save Mindanao Volunteers, Inc. (CARAGA), Kabataang Gabay ng Bayan (NCR) and Kanlungan – Kilusan para sa Kalikasan (NCR).

There were also special awards, which included the Millennium Development Goals Award given to the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Microsoft Partners in Learning Innovative Award to Save Mindanao Volunteers, Inc., Gil Montilla National High School YECS-LCAO; and Coke Barkada Award to Young Artists’ Fellowship for the Environment. # PIA

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Philhealth, PITC sign MOU to lower drug prices

BAGUIO CITY (July 8) — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) to create programs to make essential drugs and medicines available at PhilHealth–accredited hospitals.

The MOU was signed by Health Secretary and PhilHealth Chair Dr. Francisco T. Duque III, PITC Secretary Roberto Pagdanganan, Bureau of Food and Drugs Director Leticia Gutierrez, PhilHealth CEO Lorna O. Fajardo, and PITC Undersecretary Teddie Rivera.

The MOU calls for PhilHealth to support PITC activities and projects in line with a Preferred Pharmacy Partner Program (PPPP) that aims to involve PhilHealth-accredited health care providers. PhilHealth will also provide the PITC with needed information to enable the PITC to properly plan for the implementation of the PPPP.

PhilHealth and PITC is expected to create a joint Technical Working Group soon that will draw up the mechanism for the implementation of the PPPP. # PIA

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MOPRECO implements generation rate hikes

BONTOC, Mt. Province (July 8) — Electric consumers of this province have no choice but to pay higher electric bill since the Mountain Province Electric Cooperative (MOPRECO) implemented the new generation charge rate for June 2005 billing. The old generation charge of P3.9384 per kilowatt-hour now became to P4.59431/kwh.

MOPRECO in its consumer advisory stated that this increase is inevitable since the National Power Corporation (NPC) already implemented the generation charge adjustment last April 26 to May 25 billing.

The advisory also stated that the new average generation charge would be a monthly variable due to NPC’s mandatory implementation of the Time of Use (TOU) rates. The NPC has foregone the fixed rate and recently adopted TOU rates, which are the different charges depending on electric use within the 24-hour period. Charges schedule of NPC from 1 AM to 8 AM ranges from P2.034/kwh – P2.1574/kwh, rates from 9AM – 12 midnight ranges from P2.034/kwh – 6.061/ kwh.

It also stated that since MOPRECO could not provide a kwh meter with a load profile capability for each consumer, the electric cooperative uses the Average Generation charge which is computed as P4.08291 for the billing month of May and to be applied in the month of June.

MOPRECO stressed that the generation charge goes to NPC and the company does not get anything.

MOPRECO explained that the generation system charge goes to the National Generation Company(Genco) where the electric cooperative purchases its power for distribution while the transmission systems charge goes to the National Transmission Company(Transco) for the maintenance of transmission lines.

The missionary charge and environment system charge are remitted to the Power Sector, Asset and Liability Management (PSALM) to be used for lighting of remote areas not reached by grid or conventional lines and for the maintenance of dams and hydros respectively.

MOPRECO also announced that electric bills would rise with the implementation of the value added tax (VAT). The said electric company estimates the additional charge due to VAT to be over P0.50 per kilowatt-hour. # PIA

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Planning workshop to identify poverty links held

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (July 8) — The recently concluded planning workshop for poverty convergence towns in the region paved the way for the matching of existing programs, activities and projects (PAPs) of line agencies, basic sector and private sector vis-à-vis the priority needs of the convergence areas.

Among the outputs during the workshop were the poverty assessment matrix, matching of PAPs and LGU unmet needs, sectoral investment program and local government unit (LGU) action plan to operationalize their Local Poverty Reduction Action Plan (LPRAP). The workshop also identified deliverables by regional line agencies (RLAs), LGUs, private sector, and gaps.

Of the 19 identified municipalities, which include Baguio City as focus of poverty alleviation efforts, 17 were represented.

The Cordillera Regional Kalahi Convergence Group (RKCG) and the Regional Social Development Council of the Regional Development Council (RDC) initiated the said workshop.

Local chief executives, RLAs, non-government organizations, Local Poverty Reduction Action Officers, National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), basic sector representatives, Office of the Presidential Assistant, National Economic and Development Authority-CAR among others attended the activity. # PIA-CAR

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